Simplex new project

B

Bob Gurkin

New Member
I guess this is the correct thread. A Simplex is about as close to a Whizzer as anything else. I found this Simplex on Ebay for $1,900. The guys who sell Whizzer parts get that much for a Simplex motor so I feel that I have a bit more to work with. Anyway, as I go thru it I will be posting some pics.
 

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re: Simplex new project

Hi Bob,

I was watching that Simplex on eBay too (just watching, not bidding). At $1900 I think you got a real good deal. Looking forward to see pic’s in the future. I’m also finishing up building a 1940’s Simplex Model G with a Briggs engine.
 
re: Simplex new project

I think you got a lot of bike for the money. I'd love to find one of those old frames...
SB
 
re: Simplex new project

Hi Troop and Bear. Thanks for the positive posts. I have always loved the Simplex bikes. My first bike cost $25 and I ended up having to hook up a battery thru the points to get the darn thing running. Since then they have steadily gone up in price until they hoover somewhere around the roof line. I will definately be posting some pictures of how this progresses and I just hoping and praying that I don't have to go thru the motor.

Bear, I have a complete frame here. It even has the clutch on it and I have a spare fender and possibly a luggage carrier. I will have to check on that. If you are interested perhaps we can work something out. I was planning to build a military style bike, but this other bike will probably push that to the back of the shop again. It's been sitting there for about 20 years until I dragged it out a couple of months ago.

In any case happy biking :-||
 
re: Simplex new project

Trooper, I forgot in the midst of that last post. Do you have any pics of your bike? I would love to see that Simplex happening. Perhaps we can get the powers that be on this site to include a Simplex Heading. All of the Simplex sites are closed up now :/
 
re: Simplex new project

Bob Gurkin said:
Hi Troop and Bear. Thanks for the positive posts. I have always loved the Simplex bikes. My first bike cost $25 and I ended up having to hook up a battery thru the points to get the darn thing running. Since then they have steadily gone up in price until they hoover somewhere around the roof line. I will definately be posting some pictures of how this progresses and I just hoping and praying that I don't have to go thru the motor.

Bear, I have a complete frame here. It even has the clutch on it and I have a spare fender and possibly a luggage carrier. I will have to check on that. If you are interested perhaps we can work something out. I was planning to build a military style bike, but this other bike will probably push that to the back of the shop again. It's been sitting there for about 20 years until I dragged it out a couple of months ago.

In any case happy biking :-||
Click to expand...

Oh boy... a PM is on the way.
SB
 
re: Simplex new project

i was riding with a guy on a simplex last week. don't know him, we were just going the same way, cruised for awhile, coupla thumbs up and we split up.

there's another guy down the street from me that has 3 or 4 of them. one of these days i'm gonna make him an offer on one...

nice bikes. you really scored with that one.:)
 
re: Simplex new project

Hi Bob,

I don’t have any current pic’s but I posted some in an earlier thread.
http://motorbicycling.com/f36/my-simplex-build-almost-complete-23964.html

Since that post I’ve fabricated the exhaust system, chain guard, painted and added some name plates to the engine. I have Chuck at The Saddle Shop building a Simplex military seat for me right now. I recently picked up a Simplex rear wheel sheave so I’ll be replacing the Whizzer one I have currently installed. I’ve also replaced the plastic in-line fuel filter with a glass bowl sediment type and I’m planning on replacing the rubber fuel lines with steel one.

Hopefully I’ve have these little projects completed in the next month or two and I’ll post some new pic’s.

Great thought about a Simplex heading. I’ll vote for that as I agree, all the Simplex sites are gone or no longer maintained.
 
re: Simplex new project

Nice purchase. Always wanted a Simplex. They made some awesome three wheelers too. I saw one at the Adams Ave donut shop a while back with a Subaru Robin motor. He did a real nice restoration but I would rather see a period American motor.
 
re: Simplex new project

There is a fellow in Fayetteville, NC who has an unpronoucable last name and is called Ski. He has quite a collection of Simplex bikes and one of his bikes was special built at the Simplex factory for a fellow who lost most of one leg and his left arm in the Korean War. It was built on a three wheeler and all of the controling was built with him in mind. He never did ride it very much and Ski paid around $10,000.00 for the bike. Still had the original tires on it and it runs like a top. At the factory they pulled all the stops and this bike looks like a rolling jukebox. Absolutely beautiful and just purrs.

Ski also had one of only 3 battery operated Simplex bikes built at the factory. They were built for an aircraft manufacturer during WW2 and the one I rode used the same control box that was used on the trollys in San Francisco. The motor is a DC motor that will take up to 36 volts and was built to run on 12 volts. Ski misunderstood about the voltage and only put 2 6 volt batteries on it instead of 2 12s. Only running on the 2 6 folt batterys it would zip right along and I always wanted to see just what it would do with the 2 12s wired in series to give you 24 volts. I bet it would have flown.

I haven't worked on a Simplex in many years and I am so looking forward to working on this one. It is in AZ right now and we are working on getting it shipped to NC. Can't hardly wait.:-||
 
re: Simplex new project

I would love to see a Simplex forum! I have two, first is a mostly complete 1953 automatic that will be restored, the other is a 49 model K, no engine or transmission. I'm giving some thought to turning this into a 3 wheel servi-cycle replica, but i haven't committed to that yet.
 
re: Simplex new project

I always wanted to do a 3 wheeler. Some years ago I was in the process of going out of the country for a few years and wouldn't you know it. I came across a 3 wheeler for $800. It broke my heart to leave that bike, but I did managed to put another fellow on it. It really wouldn't be that difficult to build one from scratch. Everything except for the two wheels and fenders should be avaliable from a decent tractor supply store. If you decide to go that route I would love to see it. I asked the powers that be on this site about a Simplex thread, but no answer. If necessary I will set one up one day next week. I doubt that it will ever see a ton of traffic, but it would be nice to have a place for Simplex.
In the meantime Gary Wollard who has built Simplex'es for years and manufactures several parts is having a problem with cancer. He is not making anything at this time and I am hoping he will be ok. His new book about Simplex bikes is finished and should be published shortly.
 
re: Simplex new project

I spoke with Gary a couple of times in the last month. I bought a copy of his original book and some other material. He just got out of the hospital again. I sure hope he can beat the cancer.
Judging by the amount of people who bid on servi-cycle stuff on e-bay, there must be a decent market. I just bought a bunch of parts from Wayne Mahaffey, and will be ordering more stuff in the next couple of days. It seems like he has most everything needed to restore these bikes.

Here's the 1953 I have:
 

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re: Simplex new project

Rick, you definately have something to work with. That is a very good base to start from. Wayne is a really decent guy to work with and makes some quality parts. I will be ordering parts from him also. Yeah, Ebay keeps the Simplex stuff hopping. The one thing I don't much care for are these guys parting the bikes and selling them piecemeal. Maby it brings them an extra few bucks, but it takes a buildable bike off the market. I doubt very many will be picking Simplex motors up at the flea markets any more and it's looking like Ebay is about the only game in town. I kinda hate to see it. The very last Simplex I bought at a show was in Hershey, Pa. Paid $500 for a really crappy frame missing most of the parts, but it had a motor :) Take care and lets get a Simplex site on the go!!!
 
re: Simplex new project

Silverbear. Here are some shots of the "barn" bike. It is mostly complete and about the only parts missing are the guts of the headlight (Cushman is the same) the tail light glass (About $35) and of course the motor. Unless you are building a show bike I would not worry too much about the motor. Unfortunately the shipping is high. It's looking like I will have around $500-$550 in shipping alone on the bike I am having sent to me. Anyway, here are the pics and I have more if you want me to email them to you.
simp1.jpg

simp2.jpg
 
re: Simplex new project

RickS,

Nice looking Simplex you got there Rick and like Bob said, real good basis to start with. I built my Simplex with parts bought on eBay which took some time (almost a year) to collect enough parts to put my bike together and get it to the point where I could ride.

How can I get a hold of Wayne Mahaffey? Does he have a web site, email or just by phone?

Thanks
 
re: Simplex new project

Thanks! I think I may just take care of the mechanicals this winter, get it running and take it to a couple of cruise nights this summer, then do a full resto next winter. I've never seen another one around here, so it might be neat to let people see it before it gets restored.

Wayne is phone only, no website or email. He told me he is computer illiterate. If you call him he will send you a price sheet. (256)353-5552

BTW, he also doesn't take credit cards, so you have to mail him a check.
 
re: Simplex new project

Rick, Wayne doesn't have a website but his phone # is 256 353 5552 I used to have his cell, but managed to lose that. He isn't hard to reach and has a small brochure of parts he sells, but he has a lot more parts than listed. About the only thing he is really short of at the present are pistons. Originals are just not avaliable and his source for rough castings is gone and he is having a prob locating a new reasonable source that can actually cast a piston that won't melt under use. If you know someone who can do those I know he would be happy. Good luck on your parts and I am sure you will find exactly what you are looking for.
 
re: Simplex new project

Bob, that's funny, we posted at the same time. I just got a new piston, rings and pin from Wayne a couple of days ago. He also honed the cylinder for me, it's .015 oversize. My auto clutch is missing the idler pulley and arm, so I'll need that, plus a few other things to get it running.

If anybody has an automatic transmission for a simplex for sale, please let me know.
 
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